CPAP machine

Citizen037112831
Citizen037112831 Online Community Member Posts: 30 Connected
edited February 12 in Talk about your impairment

Hello all,

I was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnoea in October last year and my appointment has come through to be fitted with a CPAP machine in a few weeks.

I've been warned it could take as much as 6-8 weeks to get used to it. I just wondered what other peoples experiences using the machine was like. Also, if you have any hints or tips, I'd love to know them please.

Comments

  • hughiemachrins
    hughiemachrins Online Community Member Posts: 81 Contributor

    I believe it can take a while getting used to the machine for some people. Persistence is the key. I was lucky and took to it almost immediately. Getting my first decent nights sleep since I had Covid certainly helped! Persevere and it will be worth it. If you have any more questions once you get set up I am happy to try to help. Good luck.

  • hmass01
    hmass01 Online Community Member Posts: 40 Contributor

    My partner waited forever to get his diagnosis & to get a machine best thing he ever did.

    Yes the machine & mask takes a little getting used to he was ok after about 2 weeks. Have to say he is under st Thomas hospital for his appointments & they are fabulous.

    You should look forward to better sleep moving forward.

  • Citizen037112831
    Citizen037112831 Online Community Member Posts: 30 Connected

    Thank you @hughiemachrins I can't wait to get a good nights sleep! I wake up more tired than I went to bed. I'm so lucky it was even picked up on. I'm also hoping I might lose a few of the many bags under my eyes 😄

  • Citizen037112831
    Citizen037112831 Online Community Member Posts: 30 Connected

    Thank you @hmass01 I had no idea I had it. It was the long covid clinic that referred me to the sleep clinic (I don't have long covid, I was referred to them as I have a long recovery ahead of me) I told them if I had it, that it would only be mild. Turned out I have it quite bad.

    I think I've been lucky as I'll only have had to wait just over 3 months from diagnosis to getting the machine. I can't remember the last time I had a good refreshing sleep.

  • hmass01
    hmass01 Online Community Member Posts: 40 Contributor

    My partner had put it down to his night shifts, he used to fall asleep standing up. Now he sleeps very well, little things can cause a problem with the mask if he is not clean shaven etc but that's a minor thing.

  • Citizen037112831
    Citizen037112831 Online Community Member Posts: 30 Connected

    I'm always nodding off. I'm lucky and have a big comfy rise and recliner, so when it hits me I just lie back and sleep. I'd be asleep on the stairs if I tried to get up them when I'm like that. I heard the machines are a lot quieter these days.

  • JF7891
    JF7891 Scope Member Posts: 126 Empowering
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/129446/cpap-machine

    Until it arrives, hospitals can provide you with accommodation in sleep clinics with cpaps, that's their duty, especially in severe cases.

  • NDmummy
    NDmummy Online Community Member Posts: 41 Contributor

    My daughter uses a CPAP, hospital were amazed at how well she took to it. She has DS and while waiting for the machine I asked for a mask and let her practise, we even put it on her sloth 😁. They are quite quiet, sometimes her skin gets a bit sore around her nose but we get MEDIHONEY cream which is brilliant to clear up any redness/soreness. The nose piece that has very soft balloon type fitting, they actually sit just inside nostrils cause less issues for her. If she gets a heavy cold we revert back the the one that sits over nose and use cream. She is so much better with it than without. Hope you get to catch up on your ZZZZZ's

  • luvpink
    luvpink Online Community Member Posts: 838 Pioneering
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/982882#Comment_982882

    My partner had severe sleep apnoea but he didn't require a hospital stay.

    He was fast tracked to the sleep clinic where he was fitted with a non invasive monitoring device to wear at home for 24 hours then he was issued with a cpap machine.

    The after care was brilliant except he had to buy replacement masks himself.

    He lost 4 stone in weight and consequently his sleep apnoea was reversed and he no longer needs the machine.

  • dreamwarrior
    dreamwarrior Online Community Member Posts: 29 Contributor

    I have been using a cpap for 3 years now. It can be hard to get used to it at start, try wearing it a bit during the day when awake, finding a mask that is comfortable can take a while. I have ended up with a memory foam full face as the silicone was reacting bad with my skin. Nasal units I really struggled with. There are some nights when I can struggle even now and have to decide not to wear it but then I suffer the next day due to my other condition.

  • Citizen037112831
    Citizen037112831 Online Community Member Posts: 30 Connected
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/982882#Comment_982882

    Unfortunately I never sleep well when away from home, but thank you very much for the suggestion.

    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/982893#Comment_982893

    You must be so relieved that she took to it well. I know I'd be coping less if it were one of my kids that had it. Thanks for the tips, I've written down about the cream.

    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/983008#Comment_983008

    Thank you for the advice, especially about wearing the mask in the day time to get used to it. Where did you buy the different masks from?

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